San Francisco Giants

January 1, 1970

San Francisco Giants

Giants ace Bumgarner eager for a new slate after bike injury

In this Feb. 9, 2018 photo, San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner is interviewed during the team's media day in San Francisco. Bumgarner is in the best shape of his life ready for a bounce-back season after a most forgettable one for San Francisco's big lefty ace. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Giants ace Bumgarner eager for a new slate after bike injury

FILE - In this Sept. 3, 2017 file photo, San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner works against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco. Bumgarner is in the best shape of his life ready for a bounce-back season after a most forgettable one for San Francisco's big lefty ace. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, file)

FILE - In this Aug. 29, 2017, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Denard Span watches his RBI double during the second inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Diego. Span, obtained in the trade that sent Evan Longoria to San Francisco, is the biggest name added to the roster Tampa Bay Rays this winter. (AP Photo/Orlando Ramirez, File)

Rockies boost bullpen in effort to make it back to playoffs

FILE - In this June 18, 2017, file photo, Colorado Rockies' Nolan Arenado, front, is doused by teammates Trevor Story, back left, and Ian Desmond after Arenado hit a walkoff, three-run home run off San Francisco Giants relief pitcher Mark Melancon in the ninth inning of a baseball game in Denver. The Rockies are counting on big seasons from Arenado and center fielder Charlie Blackmon along with bounce-back campaigns from other position players to make a run at back-to-back playoff appearances for the first time in team history. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

Giants add Longoria, McCutchen as they try to bounce back

FILE - In this March 22, 2015, file photo, San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy gestures during batting practice in Scottsdale, Ariz. Bochy's first glimpse at his new roster gives him hope the Giants will feature a lineup much like the ones of several years ago, when his club was capturing World Series championships every other year. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Giants add Longoria, McCutchen as they try to bounce back

FIE - In this Oct. 1, 2017, file photo, Tampa Bay Rays' Evan Longoria hits an RBI-double during a baseball game against the Baltimore Orioles in St. Petersburg, Fla. San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy's first glimpse at his new roster gives him hope the Giants will feature a lineup much like the ones of several years ago, when his club was capturing World Series championships every other year. He has new right fielder Andrew McCutchen and third baseman Evan Longoria, and all the reliable returners such as Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford, aces Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, and closer Mark Melancon eager to have a bounce-back year. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius, File)

Giants add Longoria, McCutchen as they try to bounce back

FILE - In this Sept. 24, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates' Andrew McCutchen celebrates after a 4-1 win over the St. Louis Cardinals after a baseball game in Pittsburgh. San Francisco Giants' manager Bruce Bochy's first glimpse at his new roster gives him hope the Giants will feature a lineup much like the ones of several years ago, when his club was capturing World Series championships every other year. He has new right fielder Andrew McCutchen and third baseman Evan Longoria, and all the reliable returners such as Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford, aces Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, and closer Mark Melancon eager to have a bounce-back year. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar, File)

Giants add Longoria, McCutchen as they try to bounce back

FILE - In this Sept. 16, 2017, file photo, Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen catches hit for an out by Cincinnati Reds' Jesse Winker during a baseball game in Cincinnati. San Francisco Giants' manager Bruce Bochy's first glimpse at his new roster gives him hope the Giants will feature a lineup much like the ones of several years ago, when his club was capturing World Series championships every other year. He has new right fielder Andrew McCutchen and third baseman Evan Longoria, and all the reliable returners such as Gold Glove shortstop Brandon Crawford, aces Madison Bumgarner and Johnny Cueto, and closer Mark Melancon eager to have a bounce-back year. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

Giants add Longoria, McCutchen as they try to bounce back

FILE - In this Aug. 20, 2017, file photo, San Francisco Giants pitcher Madison Bumgarner works against the Philadelphia Phillies during a baseball game in San Francisco. Giants manager Bruce Bochy's first glimpse at his new roster gives him hope the Giants will feature a lineup much like the ones of several years ago, when his club was capturing World Series championships every other year. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Fantasy Baseball Today: 2018 San Francisco Giants Outlook

On the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, Adam Aizer, Heath Cummings and Scott White offer a 2018 season outlook for the San Francisco Giants.

Fantasy Baseball Today: 2018 San Francisco Giants Outlook

On the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, Adam Aizer, Heath Cummings and Scott White offer a 2018 season outlook for the San Francisco Giants.

Fantasy Baseball Today: 2018 San Francisco Giants Outlook

On the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, Adam Aizer, Heath Cummings and Scott White offer a 2018 season outlook for the San Francisco Giants.

Fantasy Baseball Today: 2018 San Francisco Giants Outlook

On the Fantasy Baseball Today podcast, Adam Aizer, Heath Cummings and Scott White offer a 2018 season outlook for the San Francisco Giants.

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25 jersey in August

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2007, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds drops his bat after hitting his 756th career home run during the fifth inning of a baseball game off Washington Nationals' Mike Bacsik in San Francisco. Bonds will have his No. 25 jersey retired this August by the Giants when his former Pittsburgh Pirates are in town, the team announced Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Ben Margot, File)

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25 jersey in August

FILE - In this Aug. 7, 2007, file photo, San Francisco Giants Barry Bonds celebrates after his 756th career home run in the fifth inning of a baseball game against the Washington Nationals in San Francisco. Bonds will have his No. 25 jersey retired this August by the Giants when his former Pittsburgh Pirates are in town, the team announced Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25 jersey in August

FILE - In this Sept. 26, 2007, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds waves goodbye to the fans at AT&T Park after his final at bat against the San Diego Padres in the sixth inning of their baseball game in San Francisco, Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2007. Bonds will have his No. 25 jersey retired this August by the Giants when his former Pittsburgh Pirates are in town, the team announced Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25 jersey in August

FILE - In this April 13, 2002, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds waves and poses for fans during the annual on-field photo day before the Giants' baseball game against the Milwaukee Brewers in San Francisco. Bonds will have his No. 25 jersey retired this August by the Giants when his former Pittsburgh Pirates are in town, the team announced Tuesday, Feb. 6, 2018. (AP Photo/Eric Risberg, File)

The Giants Are Right To Retire Barry Bonds's Number Even if Controversy Awaits

In what might be the most controversial pregame ceremony in baseball history, the Giants announced they will retire Barry Bonds’ No. 25 before their Aug. 11 game against the Pirates, the only other team Bonds suited up for. And minutes after the news went public on Tuesday afternoon, the baseball world once again embroiled itself in the ongoing debate of how to acknowledge steroid users.

For anyone who hasn’t followed the Giants organization closely, the team’s decision to openly endorse Bonds and all the baggage he brings in tow is a surprising (some would say appalling) one. Why would the team celebrate a player who spent the last half of his career dogged by cheating accusations and in and out of court rooms?

But for anyone that’s kept close tabs on San Francisco, this decision really isn’t that surprising. The team has left a very public trail of breadcrumbs that led to this announcement, starting with a formal reestablishment of ties (Bonds was named a special advisor to the CEO last March) and ending with a plaque on the Giants’ Wall of Fame in July.

Yes, it’s surprising for the Giants, an otherwise squeaky-clean organization that’s done everything to distance itself from controversy since Bonds “retired” 11 years ago, to openly champion for the player many perceive to be the poster boy of the Steroid Era. It’s surprising to see the team break its own unwritten rule that it won’t retire a player’s number until they’re enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Even after Gaylord Perry was inducted in 1991, the Giants didn’t retire Perry’s No. 36 until 2005.

It’s surprising to see the Giants venture into these murky waters knowing they’ll alienate 29 other fanbases like Bonds did for years. But that shouldn’t be (and evidently isn’t) their concern. What is likely of concern, and what may have stood as the biggest driving factor to this decision but won’t ever be publicly admitted, is that the Giants were running out of time.

In a terrific piece by Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic, Baggarly depicts an emotional Bonds speaking at a birthday gathering for McCovey at AT&T Park last month.

“(Bonds) ended his remarks by speaking of ‘getting there’ one day,” Baggarly wrote. “He just hoped if that day ever arrived, it wouldn’t come too late for Mays and McCovey to be there to witness it.”

Within the context of that quote, “getting there” refers to the Hall of Fame. But the meat of the point still holds true.

Bonds has always spoken passionately about his lifelong relationships with McCovey and his godfather, Mays. Both have been prominent fixtures around AT&T Park for years, but it won’t be that way forever. McCovey turned 80 last month and is confined to a wheel chair. Mays will turn 87 in May.

In the eyes of Bonds and the Giants, the proper way to publicly celebrate Bonds’ career is with Mays and McCovey in attendance, right alongside Bonds.

Hall of Fame voters have made it clear that if Bonds is making it to Cooperstown, it’s not going to be in the next two or three years. He only garnered 56.4% of the vote this year, with the 18.6% gap a lot larger than it may appear. His best shot will probably come in his last go-around on the ballot in 2022.

Evidently the Giants weren’t willing to chance it and wait that long, which invites the obvious question for San Francisco fans: Why did we have to wait this long at all?

Without Bonds, the Giants may be playing in Tampa Bay right now. Without Bonds, the Giants’ effort to build their gorgeous waterfront ballpark may have been delayed years longer or not come to fruition at all. Without Bonds’ home run chases and the pennant races he fueled, the Giants wouldn’t be the organizational juggernaut they are today.

For all the storm clouds and negativity that followed most of his career in San Francisco, he’s given the Giants much more than he’s taken. That alone should have merited his number retirement, an honor Bonds earned years before he became entangled in PED controversies.

But it’s never been that simple with Bonds, and it never will be.

The Giants could have continued their game of not issuing a No. 25 jersey because it was “retired” without actually being retired. Fortunately that game has reached its conclusion.

Finally, San Francisco will permanently put No. 25 to rest.

The Giants Are Right To Retire Barry Bonds's Number Even if Controversy Awaits

In what might be the most controversial pregame ceremony in baseball history, the Giants announced they will retire Barry Bonds’ No. 25 before their Aug. 11 game against the Pirates, the only other team Bonds suited up for. And minutes after the news went public on Tuesday afternoon, the baseball world once again embroiled itself in the ongoing debate of how to acknowledge steroid users.

For anyone who hasn’t followed the Giants organization closely, the team’s decision to openly endorse Bonds and all the baggage he brings in tow is a surprising (some would say appalling) one. Why would the team celebrate a player who spent the last half of his career dogged by cheating accusations and in and out of court rooms?

But for anyone that’s kept close tabs on San Francisco, this decision really isn’t that surprising. The team has left a very public trail of breadcrumbs that led to this announcement, starting with a formal reestablishment of ties (Bonds was named a special advisor to the CEO last March) and ending with a plaque on the Giants’ Wall of Fame in July.

Yes, it’s surprising for the Giants, an otherwise squeaky-clean organization that’s done everything to distance itself from controversy since Bonds “retired” 11 years ago, to openly champion for the player many perceive to be the poster boy of the Steroid Era. It’s surprising to see the team break its own unwritten rule that it won’t retire a player’s number until they’re enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Even after Gaylord Perry was inducted in 1991, the Giants didn’t retire Perry’s No. 36 until 2005.

It’s surprising to see the Giants venture into these murky waters knowing they’ll alienate 29 other fanbases like Bonds did for years. But that shouldn’t be (and evidently isn’t) their concern. What is likely of concern, and what may have stood as the biggest driving factor to this decision but won’t ever be publicly admitted, is that the Giants were running out of time.

In a terrific piece by Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic, Baggarly depicts an emotional Bonds speaking at a birthday gathering for McCovey at AT&T Park last month.

“(Bonds) ended his remarks by speaking of ‘getting there’ one day,” Baggarly wrote. “He just hoped if that day ever arrived, it wouldn’t come too late for Mays and McCovey to be there to witness it.”

Within the context of that quote, “getting there” refers to the Hall of Fame. But the meat of the point still holds true.

Bonds has always spoken passionately about his lifelong relationships with McCovey and his godfather, Mays. Both have been prominent fixtures around AT&T Park for years, but it won’t be that way forever. McCovey turned 80 last month and is confined to a wheel chair. Mays will turn 87 in May.

In the eyes of Bonds and the Giants, the proper way to publicly celebrate Bonds’ career is with Mays and McCovey in attendance, right alongside Bonds.

Hall of Fame voters have made it clear that if Bonds is making it to Cooperstown, it’s not going to be in the next two or three years. He only garnered 56.4% of the vote this year, with the 18.6% gap a lot larger than it may appear. His best shot will probably come in his last go-around on the ballot in 2022.

Evidently the Giants weren’t willing to chance it and wait that long, which invites the obvious question for San Francisco fans: Why did we have to wait this long at all?

Without Bonds, the Giants may be playing in Tampa Bay right now. Without Bonds, the Giants’ effort to build their gorgeous waterfront ballpark may have been delayed years longer or not come to fruition at all. Without Bonds’ home run chases and the pennant races he fueled, the Giants wouldn’t be the organizational juggernaut they are today.

For all the storm clouds and negativity that followed most of his career in San Francisco, he’s given the Giants much more than he’s taken. That alone should have merited his number retirement, an honor Bonds earned years before he became entangled in PED controversies.

But it’s never been that simple with Bonds, and it never will be.

The Giants could have continued their game of not issuing a No. 25 jersey because it was “retired” without actually being retired. Fortunately that game has reached its conclusion.

Finally, San Francisco will permanently put No. 25 to rest.

The Giants Are Right To Retire Barry Bonds's Number Even if Controversy Awaits

In what might be the most controversial pregame ceremony in baseball history, the Giants announced they will retire Barry Bonds’ No. 25 before their Aug. 11 game against the Pirates, the only other team Bonds suited up for. And minutes after the news went public on Tuesday afternoon, the baseball world once again embroiled itself in the ongoing debate of how to acknowledge steroid users.

For anyone who hasn’t followed the Giants organization closely, the team’s decision to openly endorse Bonds and all the baggage he brings in tow is a surprising (some would say appalling) one. Why would the team celebrate a player who spent the last half of his career dogged by cheating accusations and in and out of court rooms?

But for anyone that’s kept close tabs on San Francisco, this decision really isn’t that surprising. The team has left a very public trail of breadcrumbs that led to this announcement, starting with a formal reestablishment of ties (Bonds was named a special advisor to the CEO last March) and ending with a plaque on the Giants’ Wall of Fame in July.

Yes, it’s surprising for the Giants, an otherwise squeaky-clean organization that’s done everything to distance itself from controversy since Bonds “retired” 11 years ago, to openly champion for the player many perceive to be the poster boy of the Steroid Era. It’s surprising to see the team break its own unwritten rule that it won’t retire a player’s number until they’re enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Even after Gaylord Perrty was inducted in 1991, the Giants didn’t retire Perry’s No. 36 until 2005.

It’s surprising to see the Giants venture into these murky waters knowing they’ll alienate 29 other fanbases like Bonds did for years. But that shouldn’t be (and evidently isn’t) their concern. What is likely of concern, and what may have stood as the biggest driving factor to this decision but won’t ever be publicly admitted, is that the Giants were running out of time.

In a terrific piece by Andrew Baggarly of The Athletic, Baggarly depicts an emotional Bonds speaking at a birthday gathering for McCovey at AT&T Park last month.

“(Bonds) ended his remarks by speaking of ‘getting there’ one day,” Baggarly wrote. “He just hoped if that day ever arrived, it wouldn’t come too late for Mays and McCovey to be there to witness it.”

Within the context of that quote, “getting there” refers to the Hall of Fame. But the meat of the point still holds true.

Bonds has always spoken passionately about his lifelong relationships with McCovey and his godfather, Mays. Both have been prominent fixtures around AT&T Park for years, but it won’t be that way forever. McCovey turned 80 last month and is confined to a wheel chair. Mays will turn 87 in May.

In the eyes of Bonds and the Giants, the proper way to publicly celebrate Bonds’ career is with Mays and McCovey in attendance, right alongside Bonds.

Hall of Fame voters have made it clear that if Bonds is making it to Cooperstown, it’s not going to be in the next two or three years. He only garnered 56.4% of the vote this year, with the 18.6% gap a lot larger than it may appear. His best shot will probably come in his last go-around on the ballot in 2022.

Evidently the Giants weren’t willing to chance it and wait that long, which invites the obvious question for San Francisco fans: Why did we have to wait this long at all?

Without Bonds, the Giants may be playing in Tampa Bay right now. Without Bonds, the Giants’ effort to build their gorgeous waterfront ballpark may have been delayed years longer or not come to fruition at all. Without Bonds’ home run chases and the pennant races he fueled, the Giants wouldn’t be the organizational juggernaut they are today.

For all the storm clouds and negativity that followed most of his career in San Francisco, he’s given the Giants much more than he’s taken. That alone should have merited his number retirement, an honor Bonds earned years before he became entangled in PED controversies.

But it’s never been that simple with Bonds, and it never will be.

The Giants could have continued their game of not issuing a No. 25 jersey because it was “retired” without actually being retired. Fortunately that game has reached its conclusion.

Finally, San Francisco will permanently put No. 25 to rest.

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' number 25

The San Francisco Giants have decided to honour the all-time leader in home runs by retiring his jersey.

Giants will retire Barry Bonds’ number in August

The Hall of Fame wont honor Bonds, but the San Francisco Giants will

Giants will retire Barry Bonds’ number in August

The Hall of Fame wont honor Bonds, but the San Francisco Giants will

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25

Yahoo Sports Minute recaps the San Francisco Giants announcing their plans to retire No. 25 in honor of Barry Bonds.

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25

Yahoo Sports Minute recaps the San Francisco Giants announcing their plans to retire No. 25 in honor of Barry Bonds.

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25

Yahoo Sports Minute recaps the San Francisco Giants announcing their plans to retire No. 25 in honor of Barry Bonds.

Giants to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25

Yahoo Sports Minute recaps the San Francisco Giants announcing their plans to retire No. 25 in honor of Barry Bonds.

Giants break from tradition and decide to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25

The San Francisco Giants broke from tradition Tuesday and announced their plans to retire No. 25 in honor of Barry Bonds.

Giants break from tradition and decide to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25

The San Francisco Giants broke from tradition Tuesday and announced their plans to retire No. 25 in honor of Barry Bonds.

Giants to Retire Barry Bonds' No. 25 Jersey At August 11 Ceremony

The San Francisco Giants announced plans to retire Barry Bonds' No. 25 jersey on Aug. 11 before a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at AT&T Park.

Bonds is the 12th Giants player to get his number retired by the team. He played 15 seasons for the Giants from 1993 to 2007. He hit .312 with 381 doubles, 41 triples and 1,440 RBI in his 1,976 games with San Francisco. He hit 586 of his MLB record 762 home runs were hit in a Giants uniform.

"I'm both honored and humbled that the Giants are going to retire my number this season," Bonds said in a statement. "As I've always said, the Giants and Giants fans, are a part of my family. Growing up, Candlestick Park was my home away from home, and it is where my dad and godfather Willie played. For me to have played on the same field as them, wear the same uniform and now have my number retired, joining Willie and the other Giants legends is extremely special. Number 25 has meant a lot to me throughout my career and it is even more special that I got to share that with my dad."

Bonds was the Marlins hitting coach in 2016 but currently serves as a special advisor with the Giants' front office. Bonds received 238 votes (56.4%) in his bid to get elected into the Hall of Fame, which requires at least 75% of the vote for induction. It was just a slight increase from his previous total of 53.8% from 2017. Bonds' candidacy has been blemished by his ties to the BALCO doping scandal. His eligibility on the ballot will expire in 2022.

The first 20,000 fans in attendance will also receive a No. 25 baseball cap.

Injured Arizona RHP Miller wins in arbitration; players 2-0

FILE - In this April 12, 2017, file photo, Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Shelby Miller (26) throws against the San Francisco Giants during the first inning of a baseball game in San Francisco. Miller has won his salary arbitration case against Arizona after missing most of last season due to a torn elbow ligament, a decision that gave players a 2-0 record in decisions this year. Miller was awarded a $200,000 raise to $4.9 million on Thursday, Feb. 1, 2018, by arbitrators. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu, File)

MLB trade rumors: Four playoff hopefuls in need of more for 2018

Based on the offseasons they’ve put together, the Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Angels, San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals want to return to the playoffs in 2018. But how realistic is that goal?

Jones, Thome, Guerrero, Hoffman elected to baseball Hall

FILE - In this Aug. 4, 2007, file photo, San Francisco Giants' Barry Bonds watches a home run, the 755th of his career, during the second inning of the team's baseball game against the San Diego Padres in San Diego. Bonds and Roger Clemens came up short in voting for the baseball Hall of Fame, in results announced Wednesday, Jan. 24, 2018. (AP Photo/ Kevork Djansezian, File)

Column: Bonds, Clemens deserve to be in Cooperstown

FILE - At left is a 2007 file photo showing New York Yankees baseball player Roger Clemens. At right is a 2014 file photo showing former San Francisco Giants baseball player Barry Bonds. Bonds and Clemens will probably have to wait a little longer to get into the Baseball Hall of Fame. (AP Photo/File)

Giants still have payroll flexibility after adding Jackson

FILE - This Oct. 6, 2017 file photo shows Cleveland Indians' Austin Jackson answering questions during a news conference in Cleveland. Two people with knowledge of the contract say Jackson has agreed to terms on a $6 million, two-year contract with the San Francisco Giants, who are filling their top remaining void of the offseason just a few weeks before pitchers and catchers report to spring training. Jackson will earn $3 million per season, the two people said Monday, Jan. 22, 2018 speaking on condition of anonymity because nothing had been announced. (AP Photo/David Dermer, file)

Wilpon defends payroll as Mets announce medical changes

FILE - In this Oct. 5, 2016, file photo, New York Mets Chief Operating Officer Jeff Wilpon during batting practice before a National League wild-card baseball game against the San Francisco Giants, in New York. Wilpon defended the team's offseason spending, saying more moves are likely before opening day and during the season. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

The Giants have found the final piece of their outfield puzzle

The San Francisco Giants have reportedly signed veteran center fielder Austin Jackson to a two-year deal.

The Giants have found the final piece of their outfield puzzle

The San Francisco Giants have reportedly signed veteran center fielder Austin Jackson to a two-year deal.

McCutchen Posts Emotional Thank You Letter To Pittsburgh Pirates Fans

Andrew McCutchen may be playing for the San Francisco Giants now, but he is not leaving Pittsburgh; KDKA's Julie Grant reports.